Penn Museum inks deal with Turkey for 'Troy gold'

The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology has made a deal with Turkey to loan ancient jewelry known as "Troy gold” to the country. The pieces are expected to be displayed at a new archaeological museum being built in Troy that will open within two years. Troy is in northwest Turkey near the city of Canakkale. Penn museum acquired the early Bronze Age objects in 1966 from a now-defunct art dealership. But the origin of the items including earrings, pendants and pins was unclear. The purchase eventually led museum officials in 1970 to adopt a policy of refusing to acquire artifacts of unknown provenance that might have been looted. In 2009, scholars found a grain of dirt on one piece that allowed them to identify the collection as most likely being from the historic city of Troy. Discussions for the objects' return began with Turkish officials last year. The deal will allow Penn museum, which continues its excavations in Gordion, to host a future exhibit of artifacts related to King Midas. In 2016, the Penn institution will host an exhibition of treasures excavated from what is believed to be the tomb of King Midas' father. It also will include "an incredibly impressive funerary assemblage" of objects from other sites, which will offer an overview of ancient aristocratic burial customs.